Upper School History Teacher

Job Title: Upper School History Teacher
Department: Humanities
Reports To: Upper School Head of Humanities

Job Summary

The Upper School History Teacher is responsible for maintaining high academic standards within the History subject area while supporting students in their learning journey through Upper School. This role emphasizes setting high aspirations for student achievement and development, both in the classroom and through various extracurricular activities.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Actively promote and develop the ethos of Harrow Beijing.
• Lead by example, ensuring that students adhere to standards regarding dress, punctuality, and attendance.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with parents and visitors to the school.
• Attend and support all major school events, maintaining an appropriate teaching load that includes participation in Leadership in Action activities as agreed with the Head of Upper School.
• Participate fully in House activities, retreats, and expeditions as required.
• Share responsibilities fairly among colleagues.

Curriculum Development

• Familiarize oneself with the UK National Curriculum guidelines, Harrow Beijing Units of Work, lesson plans, and evaluation criteria for the relevant year groups/subjects.
• Stay updated with curriculum developments through continuous professional development (CPD) and other educational opportunities.
• Plan, prepare, and document lessons effectively.
• Deliver the curriculum and manage associated resources in a way that engages and challenges students, catering to various skill levels and needs.
• Maintain an ongoing formative assessment program related to learning objectives and prepare students for summative assessments, including school-based and externally examined assessments.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external marking schedules and moderation procedures, maintaining accurate and comprehensive records of student assessments.
• Write reports on student performance for both internal and external stakeholders as required.

Welfare and Discipline

• Monitor the work of class/form students, providing guidance, advice, and admonishment as necessary.
• Maintain relevant records for individual student files and document communications with parents.
• Lead Personal Development (PD) tutorial sessions and participate in maintaining high standards of behavior and dress.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety policies regarding student welfare during school hours and activities.
• Show a pastoral interest in students, ensuring they feel valued and supported in both curriculum and extracurricular activities.

Leadership in Action

• Supervise and coach students in after-school enrichment activities and other extracurricular programs.
• Organize logistics related to these activities, including transport and accommodation.

Professional Development

• Engage in the annual Professional Performance Review and participate in school-wide CPD initiatives.
• Pursue CPD opportunities arising from the appraisal process, including pathways to higher qualifications.
• Seek advice from line managers regarding professional development and career pathways.

Collegiality

• Attend meetings aimed at ensuring the smooth running of the school and the successful delivery of its programs.
• Mentor new teachers, especially those with whom a functional relationship exists.
• Supervise students during non-period times as determined by the duty rota.
• Serve as a substitute for colleagues as needed.

Safeguarding

• Take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, working collaboratively with others to ensure adequate support for children at risk of harm.

Relationships

• Internal: Collaborate with the Head of Department, Heads of Year, Director of Studies, Head of Upper School, and the Academic Support Team.
• External: Communicate effectively with parents and other educational providers as needed.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of teaching experience in the subject area.
• Proven success in working with students in the relevant age group.
• Experience in creating an inspiring and stimulating learning environment.
• Familiarity with using ICT to enhance learning and the ability to analyze student data to support achievement.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience in teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) students and delivering at IGCSE and A Level.
• Previous experience in an international school and familiarity with the British education system.
• Strong commitment to participating in extracurricular activities and contributing to the school community.

Qualifications

• Graduate qualified teacher status.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area is required; a Master’s degree is advantageous.

Additional Information

This position requires an individual to be highly motivated, collaborative, and committed to safeguarding the welfare of children. The post-holder will work closely with the academic leadership team to ensure effective implementation of the school’s strategic plan and play a key role in transitioning students between Lower and Upper Schools. The job description may be amended following discussion between the line manager and the staff member and will be reviewed annually during the appraisal process.